Explore the Historic Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale

Do you love getting a glimpse into the past? Are you a sucker for beautiful architecture and artwork? Then we at Carl’s Van Rentals suggest that you consider spending a few hours at the Bonnet House in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Built in 1920, the Bonnet House became the Florida residence for Chicago painter Frederic Clay Bartlett and his wife Helena. The home was a retreat for Frederic to paint and Helena to write poetry and compose music. However, Helena passed away only a few years later, and the house was frequented less often until Frederic remarried Evelyn Fortune Lilly several years later.

In 1983, the Bonnet House and its grounds were donated to the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation—the largest Florida donation of its time. Now a part of the American Association of Museums, the Bonnet House offers visitors an experience unlike any other. You can explore the main house and its galleries filled with art and unique collections from the families who lived there. On a sunny day, you can explore the grounds, which make up about 35 acres of beachfront property. Some visitors are lucky enough to see the wildlife on the property, including monkeys, swans, water fowl, and even manatees.

The Bonnet House is open year-round, Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure to check the Bonnet House website for tour information and up-to-date admission prices. Note that if you’re planning a group outing in one of our passenger van rentals, be sure to ask about group pricing at the Bonnet House.

If you need a van rental for your Fort Lauderdale travels, contact us at Carl’s Van Rentals at 954-525-8008. From minivan rentals to sprinter van rentals, we have a wide range of rental vehicles to fit your needs. We strive to make our van rentals both reliable and affordable to our Florida guests in order to enjoy exploring what Fort Lauderdale and South Florida have to offer.